NW Kentucky News

Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services Chairman Glenn Grothman addressed the expansion of welfare programs in a hearing titled “Examining the Growth of the Welfare State, Part 1.” This marks the Subcommittee's first session in the 119th Congress.

Chairman Grothman expressed concerns over how these programs have increased dependency on federal assistance. He noted that welfare programs often disincentivize marriage, contributing to unstable conditions for children. Additionally, he highlighted that billions are spent on health care and welfare support for illegal immigrants.

Grothman stated, "Over the past 50 years, millions of Americans have received benefits from various welfare programs." He emphasized that while these programs provide essential services like food and healthcare, they often create dependence without significantly reducing poverty levels.

The hearing pointed out that more than one-in-five able-bodied working-age adults receive some form of welfare. In 2022, federal spending on over 80 welfare programs reached nearly $1.2 trillion. According to Grothman, many recipients remain in these programs rather than seeking employment due to incentives within the system.

Grothman also raised concerns about penalties for married couples within these programs: "Penalties occur when a married couple no longer qualifies for the same benefits they receive as individuals." This has contributed to an increase in children born to unmarried women—from around 5% in 1960 to approximately 40% today.

He argued that marriage is crucial for a stable society and better outcomes for families. "Federal policy should reflect the fact that children do best when they are raised in a stable married two-parent household," he said.

Tracing back to President Lyndon Johnson's "War on Poverty," Grothman remarked that while initial goals aimed at reducing dependency, today's system fosters government reliance and penalizes marriage.

Furthermore, Grothman criticized improper payments going towards illegal immigrants: "$23 billion dollars on health care for illegal aliens and another $11.6 billion dollars on food stamps...in 2023."

Fraudulent activities were also highlighted as significant issues with more than $100 billion lost through improper payments from Medicaid and other programs last year alone.

Grothman concluded by stressing the need for reform: "If we continue on our current path, it will become increasingly difficult to fund welfare programs." The Subcommittee aims to work alongside the Trump administration towards meaningful changes.